Laundry machine



J. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY MACHINE July 3, 1934.

Original Filed March 12, 1928 11495 L ilwsve'ag if MZMM gttoxgesaPatented July 3, 1934 FlCE ' LAUNDRY MACHINE James B. Kirby, WestRichfield, Ohio, assignor to Industrial Improvements Incorporated,

Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio I Original application March 12,1928, Serial No.

260,889. Divided and this application April 25,

1929, Serial No. 358,025

/ 19 Claims. (Cl. 210-71) This invention relates to laundry machines andhas special reference to extractors of the centrifugal type for removingthe excess liquid from clothes after washing. The objects of theinvention are the provision of a centrifugal extractor which is capableof being substituted in place of a wringer in existing'machines; theprovision of a centrifugal extractor capable of being moved to differentpositions relative to the washing machine for which it is used; theprovision of a centrifugal extractor capable of being substituted for awringer and driven by the same mechanism employed-in connection withsuch wringer; the provision of a centrifugal extractor capable of beingattached to existing washing machines which shall be substantially freefrom vibration, easy of access, and which shall automatically dischargethe extracted liquid either back to the machine or into a suitable sinkor tub,'while 20, further objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent as the description proceeds.

The present application is a division of my earlier application, SerialNo. 260,889, filed March 12, 1928 but subsequently abandoned.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this application Ihave shown certain specific physical forms in which my inventive idea isembodied. Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing my improvementsapplied to .a standard type of washing machine as a wringer substitute;Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4are horizontal sectional views corresponding to the sec;- tion lines 3-3and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 1;

and-Fig. 5 is a side elevation-of the extractor container shown inFig.1.

' The casing of the extractor comprises a bottom preferably of a rigidmember, here shown as of cast form, having at its center an upright,

hollow sleeve 10 surrounded by an annular roundbottomed-basin portion 11whose outer wall 12 slants outwardly and upwardly until it merges with acircumferential inwardly opening channel 13 which is formed at one pointwith a port 14 communicating with an outlet neck 15. Above thischannel'I have shown the casing wall as continuing in the form of anupright cylindrical wall 16.- 1

Located inside this casing is a container for the clothes to becentrifuged, said container comprising a bottom member having at itscenter a hollow upwardly projecting boss 25, hollowed .out beneath toreceive the sleeve 10 and surrounded by the annular round-bottomed basinportion 26 whose exterior swings freely in the basin 11 and conformsapproximately thereto.

Projecting from the outer wall 27 of this basin in line with therecess13 are radially projecting blades 28, and between each pair of adjacentblades a discharge aperture 30. Above these apertures the extractorcontainer is prolonged, in. the form of a wall 31 defining a surface ofrevolution about the axis of the sleeve 10, and narrower at the top thanat the bottom, its top being formed with an opening 32 surrounded by astiffening rim .33. It is immaterial whether this wall portion 31 beuniformly or irregularly slanted; whether it be smooth or verticallycorrugated; whether it be wholly imperforate or formed withperforations, all these details being set forth in my applications:Serial No. 174,208, filed March 10, 1927; Serial No. 195,091, filed May28, 1927; SerialNo. 257,283, filed February 27, 1928. 1 I The upper endof the boss 25 is formed as a socket 35 'to receive the fluted orprismatic upper end of the vertical shaft 36 which is journaled in thesleeve 10 and carries at its lower end the friction disk 37 resting onand driven by the friction plate 38 carried by the horizontal shaft 39journaled in the bearing 40 carried by the bracket 41 which'depends fromthe bottom member of the casing, the opposite end of said shaft having apulley 42 for driving purposes.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a part of a conventional type of washing machinecomprising a casing 50 provided with upright hollow standard 51 in whichis journaled an upright shaft 52. The upper end of this standardterminates in a horizontal circular flange 53 adapted for the receptionof a wringer frame so pivoted as to be swung to different positions toaccommodate the convenience of the operator, the upper end of the shaftbeing squared as at 54 to enable the ready removal and replacement ofsuch wringer. To the upper end of this standard I apply a gear casing 55having a depending neck 56 adapted to fit in the standard 51 and havinga faced portion 5'? adapted to rest on the flange 53 and a suitablelatch 58 adapted to engage the notches 59 in that flange to hold thedevice in angularly-adjusted position. Projecting laterally from thiscasing is a bracket portion 60 to which is attached the upper end 61 ofthe extractor casing.

The base part of the casing is formed with a laterally projectingportion 62 (see Fig. 4) bifurj cated as shown at 63 to straddle thestandard 52. A rubber cushion 64 can be employed if desired.

In the present embodiment the driving mechanism for the containercomprises the following 110 parts: journaled inside the casing 55 is avertical shaft 66 having at its lower end a socket to engage theprismatic portion 54 of the shaft 52 and having at its upper end avertically slidable clutch element 67 splined thereto and having anoperating handle 68. Loosely journaled on the shaft 66 is a spiral gear'70 whose hub is formed with clutch teeth '11 adapted to cooperate withthose of the member 67. Meshing with a gear '10 is a second spiral gear'12 carried by the horizontal shaft 73 whose end is provided with a beltpulley 74 located in a recess 75 formed in the bracket 60 for thatpurpose close to the wall 61. The pulley '14 is connected to the pulley42 by the belt '78 which passes through an aperture 80 formed for thepurpose in the bracket 62. The belt is surrounded and protected by asheet metal housing 81 interposed between the bracket 62and casing 55;while the wheels 42, 38, etc., are

concealed-within a housing 82 applied to the bottom of the device.

The outlet neck 15 is provided with a discharge hose. 22 which caneither deliver to a set tub 8A or other place of discharge, or back tothe casing 50 as will be obvious. Also I preferably insert in the upperend of the casing 61a rotatable metal ring 85 which is formed at oneside with an outwardly slanting apron 86 adapted either to overlap theside of the casing 50, or the side of the tub 84 so that no washingliquid need fall on the floor during the transfer of fabrics to thecontainer.

In Figs. land 5 I have shoyvn the bottom wall of the container asprovided with a plurality of blades 28, terminating between theapertures with enlarged heads 88, these enlargements being locatedsubstantially opposite the channel 13. Even in the absence of this manyother blade, however, any roughness or irregularity on the exterior ofthe container exhibits a similar action which the blades tend merely toincrease, and this action is sometimes sufficient for operative purpose.without eny blades whatever.

The blades, however, in addition to the liquiddischarging function, havealso the effect of setting up a' considerable air current which assistsin expelling the last portions of the liquid.

The outside diameter of the container is greatest at the blades 28, andis so'related'to that of the upper portion of the rim as to enable theremoval and replacement of said container. The action of the blades 28,in combination with the channel 13, produces a' combined centrifugal andswirling action which forceably ejects the liquid through the hose 22,any liquid discharged through the apertures 30, and even serves toelevate this liquid sufficiently to discharge it over the top of the tubor sink. The extent-of the inclined portion 12 may bear any desiredrelation to that of the cylindrical portion 16. Ihave shown the heightof the portion 12 as small compared with the height of the portion 16,thus bringing the channel 13 and the maximum diameter of the containerrather far down, thus facilitating the discharge of the washing liquidout of contact with the fabrics. It will be understood, however, thatmany changes in detail, proportion, and arrangement can be made withinthe scope of my inventive idea, and I do not limit myself to any of thedetails, structures or assemblages herein described except asspecifically recited in my several claims which; I desire may beconstrued broadly, each independently of limitations contained in otherclaims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a laundry machine the combination wit a support of a swingingcentrifugal extractor comprising a casing and an uprightrotatablecontainer therein, means whereby said casing is secured in variousadjusted positions at one side of said support upon a vertical axiswhich is also atone side of said support and outside of said casing,said casing being supported for angular movement about said verticalaxis, and a power driving device coaxial with said axis and operativelyconnected to said container in all positions of said casing relative tosaid axis.

2. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure having a verticalrotatable shaft at one side thereof, an extractor casing located outsideof said structure and movably hinged thereto upon a vertical axiscoaxial with said shaft, said hinge being located outside one wall ofsaid casing, and the top of said casing being located approxi mately onthe same general level with the top of the supporting structure,a'centrifugal extractor rotatably journaled inside said casing on avertical axis which is displaced horizontally from said first axis, anddriving mechanism connecting said shaft to said container in allpositions of said casing about said shaft.

3. In a laundry machine the combination with' a support of a swingingcentrifugal extractor comprising a casing hinged to said support upon avertical axis which is located at one side of said support and outsideof said casing, a drainboard swiveled tosaid casing upon a vertical axisand having a radially projecting apron adapted to project from saidcasing in different directions according as said drainboard is turned, a

centrifuge container journaled inside said casing on a vertical axis,and means for rotating said container inany position thereof relative tosaid first axis.

4. The combination with a. supporting structure having a vertical tubeand a vertical shaft:

rotatable therein, of an extractor casing secured to said tube alongsideof said shaft, an extractor container inside said casing, driving meansfor said container operatively connected to said vertical shaft, and adischarge conduit leading from the lower end of said casing and .adaptedfor the removal of liquid from said casing, and means operative by therotation of said container to discharge extracted liquid through saidconduit, the top of said container being approximately level with thetop of said tub.

5. A laundry machine-comprising a casing, an extractor journaled in saidcasing on a vertical axis, means pivotally supporting said casing invarious adjusted positions about a vertical axis' which is eccentric .tothe extractor axis, and means for driving said extractor.

6. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure, a vertical standardcarried by said structure, a vertical shaft located with the axis ofsaid standard, a casing .swiveled to said standard on an axis concentricwith said shaft, a centrifugal said casing on a vertical axisfanddriving means connecting said shaft and extractor, said casing havingliquid discharge provisions emptying at a distance from the axis aboutwhich said casing moves.

8. In a laundry machine, a support, a hollowvertical standard at-oneside of saidsupport, a hollow upright casing swiveled to said standardupona vertical axis, a centrifugal extractor journaled inside saidcasing upon a vertical axis, a I shaft in said standard, drivingconnections be-.

' tween said shaft and said extractor, and a combined drainboard andclothes chute carried by said casing and angularly adjustable about thesame and having a radially extending apron or projection.

' 9. In a laundry machineya support, a vertical I shaft journaled at oneside of said support, a centrifugal extractor operatively connected tosaid shaft, a casing for said extractor rotatably mounted on saidsupport for angular adjustment about the axis of said shaft, said casinghaving at one side a laterally projecting discharge element which ismovable with said casing to different positions of discharge, and meansfor securing said casing in itsvarious adjusted positions.

10. A laundry machine comprising a support ing member, an extractorjournaled in said supporting member on a vertical axis, means pivotallysupporting said supporting member upon a vertical axis which iseccentric to the extractor,

and means for locking said supporting member in various predeterminedpositions of adjustment about its pivotal support. 1 a

11. A laundry machine comprising a casing. an

extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical. axis, means pivotallyand detachably supporting said casing upon a vertical axis which iseccentric to the extractor axis, controllable driving means for saidextractor disconnectible upon the detachment of said casing from itssupport andmeans extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical axisand means comprising a yielding resilient PatentNo. 1364,881

member for pivotally supporting said casing upon a vertical axis whichis eccentric to the extractor axis.

14. A laundrymachine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled in saidcasingon' a vertical axis and means comprising a yielding soft rubbermember for'pivotally supporting said casing upon a vertical axis whichis eccentric to the extractor 1 axis. I

15. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor. journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing, andmeans for driving said extractor comprising parallel power transmissionmembers located alongside of said casing and interconnecting powertransmission means adjacent to the top and bottom of said casing forconnecting said power transmission members to each other and to saidextractor.

- 16. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing upon avertical axis which is eccentricto the extractor axis, and means'fordriving said extractor comprising a vertical shaftand power transmissionmeans operably connected to the top or said shaft and to the bottom ofsaid extractor.

' H. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an

extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical axis, means forsupporting said casing, means for drivingsaid extractor comprisingparallel power transmission members located alongside of said casing,and control means for connecting and disconnecting said members to eachother.

i 19. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing upon avertical'axis which is eccentric to the extractor axis, means fordriving said extractor comprising a vertical shaft, power transmissionmeans operably connected to the top of said shaft and said extractor,and means for controlling the driving connection between said shaft and"said power transmission means.

' JAMES B. KIRBY.

- July 3, 1934..

JAMES B. KIRBY.

it is hereby certified that error "appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page "2. line 138,; claim- 6, for. "locatedwread coaxial; and thatthesaid-Letiers,Palen-t should be read with this-correction therein that,the same-nayconiormto the record of the-case in the Patent Office;

, Signed andflsealed this llthday otSeptern'ber, A.'D. 1934.

(St-ll)- Leslie Frazer Acting Coumissioner of'Patents.

said casing on a vertical axisfand driving means connecting said shaftand extractor, said casing having liquid discharge provisions emptyingat a distance from the axis about which said casing moves.

8. In a laundry machine, a support, a hollowvertical standard at-oneside of saidsupport, a hollow upright casing swiveled to said standardupona vertical axis, a centrifugal extractor journaled inside saidcasing upon a vertical axis, a I shaft in said standard, drivingconnections be-.

' tween said shaft and said extractor, and a combined drainboard andclothes chute carried by said casing and angularly adjustable about thesame and having a radially extending apron or projection.

' 9. In a laundry machineya support, a vertical I shaft journaled at oneside of said support, a centrifugal extractor operatively connected tosaid shaft, a casing for said extractor rotatably mounted on saidsupport for angular adjustment about the axis of said shaft, said casinghaving at one side a laterally projecting discharge element which ismovable with said casing to different positions of discharge, and meansfor securing said casing in itsvarious adjusted positions.

10. A laundry machine comprising a support ing member, an extractorjournaled in said supporting member on a vertical axis, means pivotallysupporting said supporting member upon a vertical axis which iseccentric to the extractor,

and means for locking said supporting member in various predeterminedpositions of adjustment about its pivotal support. 1 a

11. A laundry machine comprising a casing. an

extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical. axis, means pivotallyand detachably supporting said casing upon a vertical axis which iseccentric to the extractor axis, controllable driving means for saidextractor disconnectible upon the detachment of said casing from itssupport andmeans extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical axisand means comprising a yielding resilient PatentNo. 1364,881

member for pivotally supporting said casing upon a vertical axis whichis eccentric to the extractor axis.

14. A laundrymachine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled in saidcasingon' a vertical axis and means comprising a yielding soft rubbermember for'pivotally supporting said casing upon a vertical axis whichis eccentric to the extractor 1 axis. I

15. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor. journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing, andmeans for driving said extractor comprising parallel power transmissionmembers located alongside of said casing and interconnecting powertransmission means adjacent to the top and bottom of said casing forconnecting said power transmission members to each other and to saidextractor.

- 16. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing upon avertical axis which is eccentricto the extractor axis, and means'fordriving said extractor comprising a vertical shaftand power transmissionmeans operably connected to the top or said shaft and to the bottom ofsaid extractor.

' H. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an

extractor journaled in said casing on a vertical axis, means forsupporting said casing, means for drivingsaid extractor comprisingparallel power transmission members located alongside of said casing,and control means for connecting and disconnecting said members to eachother.

i 19. A laundry machine comprising a casing, an extractor journaled insaid casing on a vertical axis, means for supporting said casing upon avertical'axis which is eccentric to the extractor axis, means fordriving said extractor comprising a vertical shaft, power transmissionmeans operably connected to the top of said shaft and said extractor,and means for controlling the driving connection between said shaft and"said power transmission means.

' JAMES B. KIRBY.

- July 3, 1934..

JAMES B. KIRBY.

it is hereby certified that error "appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page "2. line 138,; claim- 6, for. "locatedwread coaxial; and thatthesaid-Letiers,Palen-t should be read with this-correction therein that,the same-nayconiormto the record of the-case in the Patent Office;

, Signed andflsealed this llthday otSeptern'ber, A.'D. 1934.

(St-ll)- Leslie Frazer Acting Coumissioner of'Patents.

